<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARK ELECTROCHEMICAL CORP. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997 <CASH> 27,203 <SECURITIES> 125,035 <RECEIVABLES> 53,242 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 30,432 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 244,203 <PP&E> 191,581 <DEPRECIATION> 91,111 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 348,593 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 67,071 <BONDS> 100,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,358 <OTHER-SE> 159,487 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 348,593 <SALES> 272,344 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 278,594 <CGS> 219,512 <TOTAL-COSTS> 247,618 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,084 <INCOME-PRETAX> 26,892 <INCOME-TAX> 8,879 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,013 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18,013 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.56 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.49